Seatpost/Surly Cross-Check Question...

[OakLeaf]

It would be exremely unusual for a seatpost to be so long in proportion to a 50 cm frame that it couldn't be lowered WAY past where anyone might want to ride it. With a steel frame, I'm guessing it's stuck. The difference is easy to tell - can it be raised or turned?

Stuck seatposts can usually be freed with a LOT of effort and chemicals (Sheldon Brown's page has good suggestions) but I would want a MAJOR price break before taking a risk on a bike with a stuck seatpost.

[Kubla]

Oakleaf, I haven't contacted the person at all. For one thing, it strikes me as odd that this bike is still available. It seems to be configured decently (different enough from my other bikes to consider it), but the person had it powder coated last year, which is bothering me. I believe it's a 2010. Why go to the expense and then sell it the next year-especially if it's too big to begin with? Good point about the seatpost being stuck...I didn't think of that possibility.

[Kubla]

Ooohhhh boy...purple! Metallic purple at that. (Be still,my foolish heart.) The only reason I passed on the CC a few years ago was that I just couldn't get excited about either the beef gravy brown or black options that year.

Unfortunately, it looks like this might be their new cross bike, the Straggler-which will probably be too much for my modest purposes. That said, it might be best to sit tight, save my pennies and buy a new CC (or a leftover). At least I'll know what I'm getting. Thanks for this information-it gives me hope that patience will bring me the right bike.

[malkin]

What's up with "no adjustments?"
Can this mean something other than a) they don't know how to make adjustments or b) the bike has been modified to make adjustment impossible?

[Kubla]

What's up with "no adjustments?"
Can this mean something other than a) they don't know how to make adjustments or b) the bike has been modified to make adjustment impossible?

Malkin, I'm more concerned that it is "b". The ad is a bit lengthy and the person hints that they have several bikes...but want to get rid of the CC to get something else. it's been for sale at least a couple months now.

pll, My first concern: How would one even be able to tell if it is really a Cross-Check, now that it's been repainted? The other thought is that it may be stolen. The frame is said to be a 2010. I cannot rationalize having a 2 year old bike (that's allegedly too big) painted, customize it, and then sell it. I don't think I'll be pursuing this one, but was curious if others felt the same red flags, considering the circumstances.